Mechanic's death puzzles family, friends

By DONG-PHUONG NGUYEN, Times Staff Writer
Published February 9, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT Farid Karakra was to be married in June.

TAMPA - Farid Karakra enjoyed working with his hands, whether in construction or fixing cars. But his passion never led him to his brother-in-law's automotive repair shop in the middle of the night, as far as his family knows.

That's why they're so baffled over his death, which happened about midnight Wednesday in the closed garage. As relatives prepared to bury Karakra in a Muslim ceremony Friday, they talked about the explosion that killed him and wondered why he was even there at that hour.

"That is the answer we are waiting for," said a cousin, Farid Masud. "He would not just hang out there."

Tampa police said Friday the death is under investigation.

Karakra was to be married in June and had just learned his mother's travel visa was approved in anticipation of the nuptials, said an uncle, Nizar Ibrahim of Margate.

Karakra came to the United States from the West Bank about four years ago, Ibrahim said. He entered on a student visa to attend the University of Miami, but as the oldest of seven children, felt compelled to help his family financially, his uncle said.

Karakra moved in with his sister and brother-in-law in Tampa and took a job as a mechanic at his brother-in-law's shop, which is attached to the Citgo on Busch Boulevard. His fiancee lives in New York and did not attend the funeral, Ibrahim said.

"He came to this country for opportunity and freedom," Ibrahim said. "The family back home is a great mess right now."

Dong-Phuong Nguyen can be reached at nguyen@sptimes.com or 813 269-5312.

[Last modified February 8, 2008, 21:41:59]